Ranchi: Student leader Rahul Kranti, who has been on a hunger strike over alleged irregularities in Jharkhand recruitment examinations, on Wednesday said protesters remain open to talks with the state government but questioned its reluctance to order a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the matter.

"We are ready for talks. However, judging by the government's actions and what we are hearing through the media, it still does not appear to be taking a positive approach toward our demands. The government continues to say that it is investigating the matter through its own agencies. If that is the case, what is the objection to ordering a CBI inquiry?..." Kranti told reporters.

He said the protesters had initially wanted a government delegation to visit the protest site but decided to send their own representatives after receiving no positive response.

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"Initially, we wanted the government's delegation to come to the protest site. However, since there has been no positive response from the government on that front, we have decided to send our own delegation for the discussions..." he said.

Kranti also highlighted the deteriorating health of those participating in the fast and criticised Chief Minister Hemant Soren for not reaching out to the protesters.

"We have been on a hunger strike for the past three days. Our health is steadily deteriorating, and we are growing weaker with each passing day. The gherao of the Legislative Assembly is scheduled for the 10th. So far, the Honorable Chief Minister has not even come to inquire about our well-being, not even as a gesture of moral support..." he said.

Meanwhile, student leader and Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha (JKLM) chief Devendra Nath Mahato dismissed reports claiming he had ended his hunger strike over the alleged irregularities in the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC), Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission Combined Graduate Level (JSSC-CGL) and other recruitment examinations.

Mahato clarified that he had only begun drinking water after consulting climate activist Sonam Wangchuk and insisted that his fast remained underway.

"This is misleading and false news. After speaking with Sonam Wangchuk, I only started drinking water--which I wasn't doing earlier--and my hunger strike is still ongoing. Today is the fifth day. It is completely wrong that such fake and misleading news is being spread. The hunger strike continues; I am not consuming any food, and this will go on until all our demands are met and all the students of Jharkhand are fully satisfied," Mahato told ANI.

He added that representatives from both student groups would participate in discussions with the government.

"Regarding the dialogue with the government, student representatives from our side and their side (other student camp) will meet for a collective discussion," he said.

The developments came as the Jharkhand government initiated talks with protesting students on Wednesday over the alleged recruitment irregularities. Senior officials invited a five-member student delegation for discussions with Chief Minister Hemant Soren in an effort to resolve the ongoing agitation.